Bacon & Egg Taco

Bacon & Egg Soft Taco

Cals 276 / Carbs 20 / Fat 14 / Protein 17

Recipe Serves One

Ingredients:

4 sprays fat free margarine
1 lg. Egg, slightly beaten
1 Tbsp. Real Bacon Bits
Salt/Pepper to taste
1 sm. Flour Tortilla, fajita size
1/8 cup 2% Shredded Cheese,
     Mexican Style 4-Cheese Blend
1/2-1 cup Shredded Lettuce

1 Tbsp. Light Sour Cream Optional: diced green peppers, onions or black olives Instructions: Spray Teflon coated skillet with butter spray.  Add beaten egg, bacon bits and seasoning. Scramble til done. Place on a flour tortilla, add rest of ingredients like a taco and fold in half.

Eggs Benedict with Hollindaise

Eggs Benedict with Hollindaise Sauce

Soft or Hard Poached

Calories: 327  / Carbs: 15 / Fat: 25 / Protein: 11



Serves 2 or more

Recipes for 1st & 2nd layers are 1/2 muffin & 1 egg for each person and the Hollindaise Sauce recipe serves two of these. Multiply by number of people served and/or the number of servings for each person.

1ST LAYER:

1/2 English Muffin
1 Slice Canadian Bacon
     (or 4 slices shaved ham/turkey)

Toast together in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 min.
     (or use toaster and warm meat in microwave or pan)

2ND LAYER-POACHED EGG:

1 Egg, whole + 1/2 or 1 Egg White, reserved from sauce
1 Tbsp Water
Olive Oil

*Keep warm with either cooking method by leaving the cooked egg in the water or cup until ready to assemble.

Hard Poached:
Brush custard cups with olive oil.
Add water.
Add combined eggs, pricking the yolk
Microwave 1 min or until desired doneness.

Traditional Soft Poached:
Bring a pan of water to a rolling boil.  Reduce to a high simmer. Crack eggs into a measuring cup and gently pour into the water one at a time.  Simmer 3-5 minutes until desired doneness. Remove with slotted spoon to drain.

3RD LAYER-HOLLINDAISE SAUCE:

3 Tbsp. Butter, separated
1 tsp. White Pepper
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt (omit if using Sherry or cooking wine)
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Water
1 Egg Yolk, slightly beaten
Thin with 1+ tsp. Dry Sherry, Spiced Rum,
     Dry White Wine, Chicken Stock,
     Chicken Bouillon or Warm Water
Top with Paprika
Optional topping: Fresh Chives, chopped

Preheat a double boiler (or use a glass measuring cup on top of a double steamer pan). 

Add 1 part butter, til melted.
Add egg yolk & seasonings.
Add 1 part butter, til melted.
Add 1 part butter, til melted.
Cook 2-3 min stirring constantly the entire time.  Thin with sherry or other liquids. Serve immediately.

FINAL ASSEMBLY:

Stack toasted english muffin, canadian bacon, and poached egg, then spoon hollindaise sauce over the top and sprinkle with paprika and optional fresh chopped chives.

SodaStream Info and Review

Making carbonized fountain drinks at home

with the SodaStream machine.

FountainJet Model

Make sodas, sparkling waters, tonic, seltzers, energy drinks, teas, lemonade, crystal light and more. Reduce trash and recycling, reduce required storage space and reduce heavy shopping loads.  A convenient way to be environmentally conscious as each SodaStream bottle replaces over 2500 bottles and cans from store-bought drinks.

Info taken from Soda Stream Website:
http://www.sodastreamusa.com/default.aspx

MY REVIEW:
The reason I purchased the SodaStream Fountain Jet (pictured above) is the convenience factor of having diet drinks for myself, caffeine free & all natural drinks for my child, tonic for cocktail hour and red bull for exercise days...all readily available and freshly made at home without taking up space in the pantry or refrigerator. Plus its a healthier choice because there are fewer calories, no high fructose syrup and no aspartame that store bought soda's contain.

It's great for parties too because I don't have to try and guess how many drinks I will need, have excess left over, worry about running out or have to buy numerous varieties to suit individual tastes.

Even though I have not had the machine very long, I've already fallen in love with it!  I will post updates if my opinion changes in time.

Taste Opinion: The diet drinks seem to have more of the "diet" taste compared to store bought soda's.  I've always hated diet drinks anyway and am new to diet versions so I may be more taste sensitive. I'm making a more healthy life style change so it's still acceptable.  Plus I can also just flavor sparkling waters with MIO and fruit juice. The regular soda's seem good with no weird after taste, although may taste a little less sweet.  Not a bad thing. I read that you can just add more or less flavoring to suit your taste.

Fizz Opinion:  I was shocked at first to see all those tiny bubbles in the water...it actually worked!  It seems to be equivalent to a store bought bottle, whereas its fresh and fizzy in the beginning and dwindles out the longer the lid is left off and may even go flat faster than the store bought bottles?  It's best to keep the lid on, and just pour a drink over ice as needed vs continuously drinking from the bottle itself.  Seems to stay fresh and fizzy in the fridge with the specialty cap provided.

HOW IT WORKS:
Insert a small CO2 tank in the back of the machine.  Fill a high pressure 1 liter bottle (or a 16 oz bottle) with cold water.  Screw into front of machine.  Press the carbonator button about 3 times until a clicking noise is heard.  Remove the bottle and add desired flavor.  Gently turn bottle upside down to mix. Enjoy!

EQUIVALENT RATIOS:
1 16.9 oz Bottle Flavor = 33 Cans, 12 liters, or (50) 8 oz servings

Note: Sparkling Naturals Flavor makes half the amount of the regular flavors

1 Reg 14.5 oz CO2 Cylinder = carbonates 60 liters of water

1 Lg 33 oz CO2 Cylinder = carbonates 130 liters of water

THE MACHINE:
There are 7 models to choose from. Some have glass containers vs the high pressure plastic bottles.  Several colors and styles to choose from.  Some can use the large cylinders. Some machines are plastic and some are stainless steel or nickel plated. One model monitors gas levels in the cylinder. Average machine size is 5"w-17"h-8.5"d. No electric or batteries required for any model.

MODEL PRICING & UNIQUE FEATURES:
1 Fountain Jet $80 (Standard)
2 Genesis $100 (Slim Design, Solid Colors)
3 Dynamo Deluxe $125 (Nickel Plate)
4 Pure $130 (Stainless Steel)
5 Fizz $150 (Gas Level Monitor)
6 Crystal $180 (Glass Carafe)
7 Penguin $200 (Glass Carafe, Stainless Steel)


CARBONATING BOTTLES:
The carbonating bottles are specially designed, high pressure-resistant bottles for use with SodaStream soda makers. SodaStream PET carbonating bottles are BPA-free and may be reused for up to 2 years. The glass carafes included with the Penguin soda maker may be used indefinitely, with proper care. Every SodaStream bottle and carafe comes with a fizz-preserving cap that helps to keep drinks fresh and fizzy longer than store-bought bottles.

Available Colors: gray, black, white, pink, orange, pear, stainless, glass.

Hand wash all regular Plastic Pet Bottles, except the blue ones specifically designed to be dishwasher safe.  Glass carafes can of course are also dishwasher safe. 

Glass carafes can only be carbonated in specific machine bottles, but can transfer pre-carbonated water from other machines to the glass bottles for serving and storage purposes.

1 Liter (33 oz) Pet Bottle: $20 set of 2
1 Liter w/Stainless Steel cap & bottom: $15 each
1 Liter Blue Dishwasher Safe: $15 each
1/2 Liter (16 oz) Pet Bottle: $16 set of 2
Glass Carafe: $15 each



FLAVORS:

Cola: Coke, Diet Coke, Cherry & Zero
Lemon Lime: Sprite & Diet
Dr Pete: Dr Pepper & Diet
Fountain Mist: Mountain Dew & Diet
Ginger Ale & Diet
Tonic Water & Diet
Club Soda & Diet
Energy: Red Bull & Sugar Free
Green Tea & Diet
Root Beer & Diet
Orange Soda & Diet
Cream Soda & Diet
Flavored Teas & Diet
Green Tea & Diet
Lemonade & Diet
Crystal Light Fruit Flavors

Sparkling Naturals Line has no artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. Avg Price: $10

Diet Line has no aspartame, but uses splenda instead. Avg Price: $5

Regular Flavors have about 35 calories per 8 oz serving VS 100 calories for store bought brands and contains no high fructose corn syrup. Avg Price: $5

Flavoring also available specifically for Sparkling Water. Avg Price: $10 per 3pk small bottles

Crystal Light Flavors have 5 calories. Avg Price: $7

Country Time Lemonade has calories, except the naturally sweetened ones which have 110 calories. Avg Price: $10
Specialty Flavors & Energy Drinks Avg Price: $7

 
SODAMIX FLAVOR SHELF LIFE:
When ordering sodamix, we recommend ordering an amount that you will comfortably consume within 3-4 months.

Sodamix bottles feature a "best before" date which relates to optimal taste. Rest assured that sodamix can safely be consumed well beyond this “best before” date, however peak taste is ensured by consuming prior to this date. Sodamix will typically arrive at your home with about 3-4 months remaining prior to the “best before” date, therefore please order no more than a 3-4 month supply of sodamix.

For longest shelf life, please keep tightly closed and store in a cool, dry place.

CO2 CYLINDERS:
The Carbonator Cylinders are owned by Soda Stream. You get a user license with each one. Cylinders are returned to the store or via UPS mailing package provided by Soda Stream if purchased online. Credit applied for return. They are then recycled by soda stream.

Standard carbonators (60L/14.5oz) fits all machines.

Large carbonators (130L/33oz) fits only in:
FountainJet, Edition 1, Dynamo and Fizz models.

How long does a standard tank last?

Do the math...
1 bottle flavor makes 12 liters (equivilent to 33 cans).
1 CO2 tank carbinates 60 liters (equivilent to 165 cans).

60/12=5 bottles of flavor
5 bottles flavor=60 carbonated liters or 120 16-oz bottles



CYLINDER EXCHANGE & MACHINE LOCATIONS:
60L Exchange & Spare Cabonators (14.5 oz)
(Use website to order large 130L (33 oz) cylinders)

Branson, MO Area:
Bed Bath & Beyond "Genesis & Pure"
Wal Mart "Jet"
Staples "Jet"
Kitchen Collection "Jet & Genesis"
Le Gourmet Chef "Genesis & Pure"
Kohl's (no exchange) "Jet"
Best Buy (no exchange) "Genesis"
Target (no exchange) "Jet"
Also see Sears, JC Penny's & Macy's
*Look up your specific area by zip on SodaStream website

Salmon Bruschetta with Grilled Squash

Complete Meal Contents (279)

1 Salmon Bruschetta-Grilled
1/2 Med Squash, Whole Slice-Grilled
1/2 cup Wild Rice
10 Smoked Almonds

279 calories per plate. 
Complete nutritional values listed at the end.
The following recipe's serves 4. Adjust as needed.
Individual recipe calories listed in parenthesis.

Salmon Bruschetta(117)

   *Blend together:
     Pink Salmon, 2.6 oz pkg (Ckn of the Sea)
     French Onion Light Cheese Spread, 2 wedges (Laughing Cow)
     Sweet Basil, 1 tsp (Garden Dried)
     Garlic Powder, 1/2 tsp
     Cracked Black Pepper & Sea Salt

    *Spread salmon mixture onto:
     2 English Muffins Split into 4 halves (Thomas)

    *Divide and Top with:
     Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, 1/2 can Strained (Rotel-Mild)
     Parmesan Romano Grated Cheese, 2 Tbsp (Kraft)
     Parsley, 1 tsp (Garden Dried)

    *Grill:
     Place on top rack of grill.
     Cook on low for 10 min.

    *Makes 4 open face servings

Grilled Yellow Squash (56)

    *Slice in half lengthwise:
     2 Yellow Squash, Med Size.
     1/2 squash for low cal serving.

    *Grill:
     Brush with extra light olive oil (Bertolli).
     Place face down and cook on low for 10 min.
     Baste & flip, cooking another 5 min until tender.

    *Makes 4 split half servings

Smoked Almonds (61)

    *10 almonds per low cal serving (Blue Diamond)
     Smoked almonds compliment the flavors of the salmon and squash.

    *40 almonds total for 4 servings

Long Grain Wild Rice (45)

    *Long Grain and Wild Rice (Rice A Roni):
     Combine dry rice, seasoning, water and butter.
     Bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat. Simmer 25 min.
   
     Prepared with "I Cant Believe Its Not Butter Original Spread"

    *(4) 1/2 cup servings:
     1/4 Box = 2 cups prepared
     1/2 c Dry Rice
     1/4 pkt Seasoning
     1/2 c Water
     1 tsp Butter Spread

     1/2 Box = 4 cups prepared
     1 c Dry Rice
     1/2 pkt Seasoning
     1 c Water
     1/2 Tbls Butter Spread

     1 Box 4.3oz = 8 cups prepared
     2 c Dry Rice
     1 pkt Seasoning
     1 2/3 c Water
     1 Tbls Butter Spread

Nutritional Value of  Total Meal:

*Values Per Serving:
     Cal 279
     Fat 15g 
     Carbs 26g
          Fiber 3g
          Sugar 4g
     Sodium 687mg
     Protein 12g
     Potassium 162mg
     Cholestrol 9mg
     Vit A 11%
     Vit C 33%
     Calcium 16%
     Iron 13%